Alex Brining, Operations Manager at Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove
Career Lab UK Summer Internships are an exclusive opportunity to undertake a six-or eight-week paid internship with a UK employer during the summer vacation. In 2023, there are over 150 internship vacancies exclusive to second or penultimate year students at Sussex.
We connected with Alex Brining, Operations Manager at Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove, about their experiences as an internship host.
Tell us about your organisation
Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove - we are a local independent advice charity. We’re part of the Citizens Advice network. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face. We provide free, confidential and impartial advice. We campaign on the issues affecting people’s lives. We’re here for everyone.
What is your role in the organisation?
I’m the Operations Manager here, I oversee and help with lots of the day to day things involved in running charitable services as well as our general advice service which is made up of lots of amazing Volunteer Advisers supported by paid Supervisors.
What type of employment do you offer to students and/or recent graduates?
We offer a summer internship to students.
The intern is involved at different levels of our charity, helping with research and campaigns, with our reception, with volunteer support, with communications, and more.
What experiences have you had with hosting students as interns?
We were so lucky to host an amazing intern from the University of Sussex last year. They were a capable person, who not only took on all the tasks we asked of them but also shared ideas for things we could do better, new things we could get involved in, and brought more to the role than we expected. It meant we could ask them to take on more tasks and responsibilities. They are still involved with our organisation in different ways now, the following year after the internship.
What sort of characteristics are you looking for in someone you would hire for an internship?
- Good listening and questioning skills
- Open mindedness and a non-judgemental approach
- Enthusiasm about helping people
- Able to recognise and maintain appropriate boundaries
- Clear communicator in speaking and writing
- Well-organised with a systematic approach to work
How much knowledge and experience do you expect an internship student to have?
We provide training and support for the role, so some knowledge or experience of working in an organisation like ours is desirable, but not essential.
What makes a good application?
It’s always a good idea to read through the guidance notes in advance and read through the questions fully before answering – it can be easy to miss things!
When answering the questions, try to show how you meet the skills and qualities required and give examples. For instance, if the question says: “Describe any skills you have that would be useful for the role you wish to do” and one of the personal skills listed is “the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing”, you should include examples of when you have done this, such as: “In my role as XXXXX, I regularly had to communicate with both internal and external contacts via email, face to face meetings and telephone.” “I also gave presentations and regular updates to the rest of the team." This not only shows you can communicate orally and in writing but also have the ability to work as part of a team.
We can only mark an application on what you write as answers to the questions, so don’t assume by listing some interesting experience we know what’s involved – make sure you talk about it in your answers to the questions.
Can you share a highlight from working with a Sussex student in the past?
There are lots! Helping us develop our reception area to include more community information, music and a more positive atmosphere. Conducting lots of client interviews to help our campaigns and research work. Helping us keep up with very high demand on an energy grant scheme, bringing in new ideas and a new perspective!
Why do you think students should take part in an internship? Why/how do you think the programme is important for students' future careers?
We think being an intern with our charity can bring opportunities to:
- make a positive impact on peoples’ lives,
- gain new skills and knowledge and build experience for employment
- use and develop existing skills in varied and rewarding roles
- improve health, wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem
- meet new people from a range of backgrounds and ages, and make friends
- get to know the local community and give something back
- experience good training and support and feeling part of a team
How will the internship help students to develop the skills you would look for in someone you would hire for your company?
Our internships are a great way to get paid experience in the charity sector and to find out more about advice provision and what’s happening in our communities. We provide all the resources and training needed to move into this sector as a career.
How can our current students build a career in your sector? What are the starter roles?
Often people move into the charity sector through volunteering. We sometimes advertise paid roles where training is provided, and which doesn’t require as much knowledge or experience as other roles, whether that be in admin or advice.
How do you support students/graduates’ integration into your organisation?
We’re a small, friendly team. There’s lots of support available throughout the internship and generally in our volunteer- and paid roles!
What would you say to students who are unsure about applying or taking part?
Contact us and ask questions! We are always available to talk with people who would like to know more.
If students are interested in finding out more about your organisation or your sector, where should they look?
Students can find out more about what we do on our website at cabrightonhove.org
You can also search for Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove vacancies on CareerHub.
Interested?
Career Lab UK Summer Internships are open to all second and penultimate year students. Applications open in March 2023 and deadlines vary up until 16 June 2023. Early applications are advised, as vacancies may close at short notice.
The programme is part of Career Lab, a series of opportunities designed to develop students' skills, experiences and confidence, to help boost career prospects. Places are prioritised for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and we particularly welcome your application.